Method and system for displaying information related to an evolving game process

ABSTRACT

According to embodiments, the invention may be implemented as methods, systems, controllers and computer programs. Embodiments of the invention are adapted to monitor states of an evolving game process, initiate a real-time continuous communication process when a criterion is fulfilled through which information derived from the evolving game process is displayed on a display, and to monitor and evaluate when to terminate the real-time communication process. Thereby, embodiments provide means and methods for providing and displaying derived information regarding an evolving game process during a selected period.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/711,384 filed on Aug. 26, 2005 and entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING INFORMATION IN A GAMING ENVIRONMENT. The specification of the foregoing Provisional Application is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods and systems for displaying information in a game-of-chance environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling, in real time, display of information derived from an evolving game process in relation with a game of chance. The method comprises the steps of monitoring, in real time, states achieved by the selected evolving game process, and evaluating these states in regard of a displaying criterion. The method further comprises, upon fulfillment of the displaying criterion, initiating a communication process for continuously communicating, in real time, evolving-game-process information. The method further comprises continuing monitoring, in real time, further states achieved by the evolving game process, and evaluating these further states in regard of a display terminating criterion. The method also comprises, upon fulfillment of the display terminating criterion, terminating the communication process.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for controlling display of information derived from conduct of an evolving game process in relation with a game of chance. The system comprises a gaming apparatus for conducting the game of chance and providing the outcomes of the game of chance to a player; monitoring means for monitoring, in real time, states achieved by the evolving game process; evolving-game-process controlling means for controlling conduct of the evolving game process; and evaluating means for evaluating these states achieved by the evolving game process in regard of one of a displaying criterion and a display terminating criterion. The system further comprises displaying means for displaying information derived from the evolving game process; display controlling means for controlling a communication process for continuously communicating, in real time, the information derived from the evolving game process; and communicating means for communicating information between the gaming apparatus, the monitoring means, the evolving-game-process controlling means, the evaluating means, the display controlling means and the displaying means. The system is adapted, upon positive evaluation of the displaying criterion, for initiating the real-time continuous communication process and, upon positive evaluation of the display terminating criterion, terminating the communication process.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a display controller for controlling, in real time, display of information derived from an evolving game process in relation with a game of chance. The display controller comprises storing means for storing a displaying criterion and a display terminating criterion; monitoring means for monitoring, in real time, states achieved by the evolving game process; and evaluating means for evaluating these states in regard of one of the displaying criterion and the display terminating criterion. The display controller further comprises controlling means for controlling a communication process for continuously communicating, in real time, information derived from the evolving game process; and communicating means for communicating information to and/or from a displaying means. The display controller being adapted, upon positive evaluation of the displaying criterion, for initiating the real-time communication process and to terminate the communication process upon positive evaluation of the display terminating criterion.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium or in processor-readable memory having codes adapted to monitor, in real time, states achieved by an evolving game process in relation with a game of chance; and to evaluate these states in regard of a displaying criterion and a display terminating criterion. The codes are further adapted to control a communication process for continuously communicating, in real time, evolving-game-process information to be use to display information derived from the evolving game process on a displaying means. Accordingly, the codes provide, upon positive evaluation of the displaying criterion, means for initiating the communication process, and also provide, upon positive evaluation of the display terminating criterion, means for terminating the communication process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a perspective view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bloc diagram illustrating the components of the gaming machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed while conducting a game play on the gaming machine illustrated on FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a set of steps performed according to the implementation of an embodiment of the invention as a method;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another set of steps performed according to the implementation of an embodiment of the invention as a method;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating components of a network according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a primary game and an evolving game process according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic representations of state sequences of the evolving game process of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of another evolving game process according to another embodiment of the invention.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Lexicon

In relation with embodiments of the present invention, the terms “game of chance” are meant to encompass all games and game-related processes depending on a random event to be conducted. Examples of games of chance comprise casino-style games such as poker games, line games, and bingo games. Game-related processes include any process that may or may not be part of a more global process which depends on randomness to be conducted to its particular conclusion such as a round of a tournament process.

The terms “evolving game process” relates to a non-instantaneous process being more or less “driven by” or “played along” the conduct of a game of chance, or being itself a game of chance depending at least in part on randomness to be conducted. The evolving game process therefore may be in many states over its evolution, with these states depending in part on the state in which the evolving game process was prior to the current state. The different states in which the evolving game process may be capable of fulfilling different criteria and of being estimated close to, or far from a desired outcome for example.

The terms “desired outcome” relate to any state which is of particular interest and that may be particularly monitored during the evolving game process. Such a desired outcome may be the win of a particular prize, or a state having a particular significance for a player for example.

The term “state” refers to a status in a feature or process that can be recognized or evaluated. Illustration of states comprise a position in an evolving game process comprising structured locations, a meter level, a state for which a probability of achieving a particular desired state may be calculated, etc.

The terms “in real time” mean “with no significant delay”. Therefore, “in real time” may be illustrated for example by a signal transmitted from a system component to another system component before the signal becomes obsolete. Therefore, transmission of the signal fulfills the signification of “in real time” when it is transmitted before the generation of a new signal renders the first signal obsolete.

The terms “information derived” or “derived information” are meant to comprise any information resulting from any processing (e.g. replication, transmission, format modification) of primary information. Therefore, the information derived may take many forms from a format identical to the primary information format to a non-related format being generated based on a portion of the primary information with all of the potential forms in-between.

The term “signal” is intended to encompass any form of data communicated between two components of a same device or of different devices. Accordingly, a signal may have, for example, a processing relevance or may be bearer of information used afterwards for a particular purpose. For example, a signal on a network may be used to communicate an identification of a machine with the particular state change occurring at the machine. Therefore, the system component receiving the signal may, for example, initiate a particular process based on the reception of that signal and the signal borne information.

General Description of Physical Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention may be carried out on a gaming apparatus, such as a personal computer, a gaming terminal, a server or a gaming machine as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Said gaming machine 10 comprises displaying means 12, such as a video screen, an LCD screen or mechanical reels; accepting means 14 such as a card reader, or a coin and/or bill acceptor; input-receiving means 16, such as buttons, levers or a touch screen; awarding means 18, such as a ticket printer, a card reader or a hopper; storing means 20 such as RAM, flash memory, a hard drive or a removable memory medium; and controlling means 22 such as a computer, computer codes, or a hardware controller. The controlling means 22 comprise generating means 24, which also may correspond to a computer, computer codes or hardware components. In another embodiment, the gaming machine 10 carrying out the invention may comprise, either in replacement of or in combination with the accepting means 14, communicating means 26 allowing communication between the controlling means 22 and a remotely linked accounting means (not shown) wherein player accounts are maintained (either by a casino or by a financial institution, such as a bank), and monetary value is downloaded on the gaming machine 10 to play the game and uploaded on the accounting means upon quitting the game.

Such a gaming machine 10 is designed, as shown on FIG. 3, to receive credit information from a player (at step 30) coming from the deposit of money either in a physical format (such as coins or bills) or in an electronic format (such as monetary value stored on a player card or transferred from a bank account), to receive activation information from the player (at step 32), to randomly generate (at step 34) and display (at step 36) a game outcome, to evaluate said game outcome according to game rules (a pay schedule for example) (at step 38), and to award a prize to the player for a winning game outcome (at step 40).

Gaming machine 10 is further designed to participate in an evolving game process as shown on FIG. 4. This evolving game process comprises monitoring data related to the game play illustrated in FIG. 3 (at step 50), evaluating the monitored data against evolving-game-process criteria (at step 52) for determining their influence in the evolving game process, changing the state of the evolving game process from its current state to a new state based on the evaluated monitored data (at step 54), evaluating the new state of the evolving game process (at step 56) and, if the new state is a winning state, providing a reward based on the state evaluation (at step 58). It has to be noted that the method illustrated through steps 50 to 56 are cyclically performed over a number of times (either infinite or not) allowing the evolving game process to pass through a series of states each being more or less close to a feature-winning state or any other state of particular interest.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a method, as illustrated in FIG. 5, comprising the steps of monitoring in real time states of an evolving game process (at step 70), evaluating a current state of the evolving game process against a displaying criterion (at step 72), communicating, in real time, a signal bearing information derived from the evolving game process in progress to a display upon fulfillment of displaying criterion (at step 74), continuing monitoring evolving game process data (at step 76) and evaluating when a display terminating criterion is fulfilled (at step 78), and stopping communicating signals and information to the display upon fulfillment of the display terminating criterion (return at step 70). Therefore, a period during which information derived from the progress of the evolving game process is provided in real time (through cycle comprising steps 74 to 78) in view of the evolving game process remaining fulfilling a displaying criterion. An evolving game process which does not fulfill the displaying criterion is not displayed, nor is an evolving game process which, after being evaluated, does not present the necessary interest.

Embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented, totally or in part, in a computer program. Such a computer program is adapted, when loaded in an appropriate device, to control processes performed by said device in relation with the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention may also be carried out on a network as illustrated on FIG. 6. Therefore, the present invention may be carried out in part on a gaming terminal (not shown per se) or any other suitable gaming apparatus 10, part of a local or wide area network or connected through the Internet, more or less dependent upon a server 90 or upon another gaming apparatus 10 to perform processes necessary to provide a player with a game of chance and/or game features. To do so, game information is communicated to and/or from said game apparatus 10 using communicating means (not specifically shown since being either none physical or in combination with communication means of the network components) such as a physical connection (network cable or telephone line, for example), or broadcast facilities using an electrical or electro-magnetic signal. The terminal may participate totally, in part or not at all, in the generation of the game outcome, depending on the nature of the game information communicated to and/or from it. Game information may comprise all information useful to conduct the game of chance and any feature more or less associated therewith, such as the player identity, identification of the game of chance or game feature played, the bet value, the level of play, the game outcome, the pay table, the pay schedule, player input, sets of game indicia, the prize awarded, triggering signals to provide the player with a punctual game feature, etc.

The network further comprises displaying means 100 remote from a first gaming apparatus 10. The server 90 of the present embodiment comprises communicating means 92 allowing communication with the gaming apparatus 10 and the displaying means 100, storing means 94 and controlling means 96 which may be embodied in any component similar to the ones listed in relation with the gaming machine 10.

While illustrated in the block diagrams as groups of discrete components communicating with each other via distinct data signal connections, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that embodiments capable of carrying out the invention may be provided by a combination of hardware and software components, with some components being implemented by a given function or operation of a hardware or software system, and many of the illustrated component interconnection being implemented by data communication within a computer application or operating system. The structure illustrated is thus provided for efficiency of teaching suitable embodiments.

Individually-Played Evolving-Game-Process Embodiments Bonus Feature Embodiment

To illustrate a first embodiment of the invention, a network of gaming machines is adapted so that each may individually conduct a line game, with a bonus feature being provided on a gaming machine upon occurrence of a triggering event within an outcome of the line game played on said gaming machine. Following occurrence of the triggering event, the gaming machine starts conducting the bonus feature which may result in the win of a progressive jackpot.

The bonus feature of the present embodiment includes a plurality of levels (A, B, C, D and E) with the player advancing to a subsequent level when fulfilling an advance criterion in the currently played level. However, if an ending criterion is fulfilled when playing any of the bonus-feature levels, the bonus ends with the player being awarded a prize based on the conduct of the bonus feature up to its end. For example, the bonus feature conduct may comprise object selections with some of them hiding values. The player accumulates values as he selects objects. The prize awarded at the end of the bonus feature, if the player does not win the progressive jackpot, is the sum of the selected-object values. If the player reaches the last level and achieved the jackpot-winning outcome, the player is awarded the progressive jackpot.

The evolving game process of the present embodiment takes form of the bonus feature. As the player performs selections in the bonus feature, the state of the bonus feature evolves. Accordingly, when starting a participation in the bonus feature, its state is an initial state. As selections are performed by the player, the probabilities of the player winning the progressive jackpot increases or decreases depending on these selections.

During the conduct of the bonus feature on the gaming machine, the gaming machine continuously communicates to the server data representative of the conduct of the bonus feature. The server continuously monitors the evolution of the states achieved in the bonus feature. If an achieved state fulfills a displaying criterion (e.g. the probabilities of winning the progressive jackpot increasing over a threshold value, an expected win value increasing over a threshold, the player accessing a threshold level), the server starts communicating the progress of the bonus feature to a display remote from the gaming machine until the player wins the progressive jackpot or ends his participation in the bonus feature. The display provides, throughout the remaining portion of the player's participation in the bonus feature, a representation in real time of the progress of the player in the bonus feature.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, the display on which is provided in real time the progress of the bonus feature may be a big-screen display disposed in a casino above the bank(s) of gaming machine on which is available the line game associated with said bonus feature.

According to another aspect of the embodiment, the progress of the bonus feature may be provided on a second screen disposed above the primary display of other gaming machines, therefore illustrating how the bonus feature progresses in good circumstances to any player who can play said bonus feature.

According to another aspect of the embodiment, the progress of the bonus feature may be provided on gaming machines not currently played by players in replacement of a teaser or of an attraction animation. Therefore, the server would monitor data identifying gaming machines currently playing and others available for displaying derived information, and would communicate derived information only to gaming machine addresses corresponding to the availability criterion.

According to another aspect of the embodiment, a back-room computer may receive the information regarding the progress of the bonus feature. One attendant may have the task to be ready to contact the player as he wins the progressive jackpot. Therefore, the downtime after the win of the progressive jackpot when the gaming machine is locked for verification and for rewarding the player is limited to its minimum.

According to another aspect of the embodiment, the server may communicate derived information regarding the evolving game process to an attendant's wireless portable device based for example on identification of the attendant location in the casino for efficiency purpose. Therefore, a single attendant on the casino floor would be alerted regarding the evolving game process; the attendant being located the closest to the gaming machine at that time.

Side-Bet Feature Embodiment

According to another embodiment illustrated on FIG. 7, a buy-in side-bet feature is presented in association with a line game 120. Following the player placing a side bet, a monitoring process of ten consecutive outcomes is initiated, illustrated through an array 110 with markings 112 and 114. During the feature, outcomes of the line game 120 are monitored to determine if a BONUS symbol 116 is present in the outcome. Each time the BONUS symbol 116 appears among the game-outcome symbols 118, a special marking, illustrated with a B 112, takes place in the monitoring array 110. Each outcome lacking the presence of the BONUS symbol 116 is marked as a blank result and illustrated with a cell containing an X marking 114. If the player succeeds to accumulate five (5) B markings 112, the player is awarded a participation in a special feature.

As outcomes occur, the feature evolves from an initial state in which the probabilities of achieving the goal is known to different states depending on the number of B markings 112 accumulated and the number of array-cells remaining available to fill 122. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate two distinct sequences of evolution of the feature, with the evolution of the probabilities of achieving the goal as the feature progresses. For these two examples, the probabilities of having an outcome comprising the BONUS symbol remain the same regardless of the state of the feature: twenty (20) percent.

As illustrated, the probabilities of achieving the five (5) B-marking goal increases as outcomes comprising a BONUS symbol take place. However, the probabilities decrease as the number of cells of the monitoring array available to fill with markings decreases.

The displaying criterion of the present embodiment consists in having the probabilities associated with one state higher than a predetermined value, namely ten (10) percent in the present case. Accordingly, the first feature sequence illustrated through FIG. 8A would never result in a state fulfilling the displaying criterion. In comparison, the second feature sequence (FIG. 8B) would fulfill the criterion upon entry of its sixth (6^(th)) marking 125. As the criterion being fulfilled, a display remote from the gaming machine fulfilling the criterion would presents in real time a clone of the remaining part of the conduct of the feature with representation of the outcome generation process driving the remaining part of the feature sequence.

Auxiliary Game Embodiment

According to another embodiment, an auxiliary game is played along a primary game, e.g. a blackjack game. Each time an outcome is generated in the blackjack game (not shown), the monitoring means of the auxiliary game, illustrated as the matrix 130 of FIG. 9, either i) remains with the same entries; or ii) sees the entries of all columns move one column further to the right to free a column 132 for new entries to take place in the matrix 130. If the entries move in the matrix 130, the oldest entries (illustrated in the column 134 at the far right of the matrix 130) are dropped out of the matrix 130 to leave space for the new entries. Therefore, a continuous monitoring of a constant number of entries in the matrix 130, but variable number of blackjack outcomes is performed to conduct the auxiliary game.

According to evaluation of blackjack outcomes, the matrix stays with the same entries, or new entries take place in the matrix being either positive (illustrated through C symbols 136) or negative (illustrated through blank 138 cell content). Evaluation of a winning condition 140 is performed independently on each row, requiring a different number of C symbols 136 to pay a different prize 142. When a C symbol 136 a participates in awarding a prize, the C symbol 136 a is replaced with a $ symbol 144 afterwards.

In relation with the present invention, matrix states wherein big prizes (requiring a significant number of C symbols 136) seem to be about to be awarded if subsequent blackjack outcomes produce C symbols 136 are the conditions monitored to determine when to display information derived from the conduct of the auxiliary game. As presented above, the matrix 130 is an on-going or continual, therefore evolving, game having different states depending on the symbols (136, 138 and 144) filling the matrix 130 cells and the positions of these symbols (136, 138 and 144) in the matrix 130. According to the cells content and their disposition, an evaluation of the matrix state may be performed and evaluated against displaying criteria.

In the present example, only states having a probability higher than a first probability-threshold value of winning prizes having a value over a win-threshold value may trigger the real-time communication and displaying process. Different states are evaluated depending on different matrix rows. When one of the states fulfills a displaying criterion, the matrix and the blackjack play (not shown) are displayed in real time on a display remote from the gaming machine on which is played the blackjack game.

Along with the real time displaying process, continuous monitoring and evaluation of the states of the matrix 130 is performed. When all evaluated states fulfill a set of display terminating criteria, the displaying process ends. For example, the displaying process may end following the player winning the top prize, or the player accumulating too many blank cells 138. Following the end of the displaying process, other information may be provided, for example a history of the wins in the auxiliary game, a history of conditions in which players were close to winning the top prize but missed it, or a re-play of the matrix evolution that lead to the win of the top prize.

It has to be noted that criteria used to determine when to start the displaying process and the criteria used to determine when to end it may or may not be the same. For example, the same set of criteria may be used with a single criterion or two criteria having to be fulfilled to start the displaying process while all of them do not have to be fulfilled to terminate the displaying process. A minimum number of entries in the matrix 130 may also be fixed before terminating the displaying process. Typically, if the criteria are different, the ones associated with terminating the process will be harder to fulfill, therefore resulting in a displaying process having a significant length of time.

Network-Management Embodiments

Multiple Evolving Game Processes Management

In a network embodiment, it is possible that more than one evolving game process fulfills display criteria during the same time period.

Depending on the embodiment, the displaying criteria used to determine when to display information derived from an evolving game process may depend solely on the states achieved by said evolving game process. On the other hand, that determination may also be the result of the comparison of the current states of different evolving game processes, or a combination of these two.

One solution in regard to a situation where two evolving game processes fulfill display criteria at the same time consists in displaying the first evolving game process fulfilling the displaying criteria, and placing the system in a disable display state until the end of the real time display of derived information from the first evolving game process.

Another solution may be to modify the derived information displayed on the remote display(s) to include information relative to both of the evolving game processes.

Another solution comprises identifying the gaming machines from which originate the fulfilling evolving game processes, and to transmit in real time display derived information relative to both evolving game processes to distinct displays based on said data. For example, the determination of the displays selected for providing derived information in real time may be based on location criteria, on game apparatus criteria, on evolving-game-process type criteria, on principal-game type criteria, or even on network criteria. For example, the information selected to be displayed by a gaming machine, upon this kind of conflict about displaying derived information regarding two evolving game processes, may be based on the selected evolving game process being played on the same kind of gaming machine, or one sharing particular characteristics.

Another solution, to list a few, may be to apply a modified set of displaying criteria and display terminating criteria to determine when the first evolving game process is replaced with the second one to be displayed in real time.

Therefore, the method selected to manage potential conflicts between information derived from a plurality of evolving game processes being displayed concurrently depends on different criteria outside the scope of the present invention. Depending on the purpose the derived information, the derived information itself, or other variants, a system designer may elect one solution over the other without departing from the scope of the invention.

Display Determination Management

In a networked environment presenting variants, such as a non-homogeneous game environment, display criteria may be applied to determine where to display derived information regarding an evolving game process. Examples of displays on which derived information may be provided comprises: the auxiliary display of a gaming machine, the auxiliary display being disposed above the display used to play the game and most of the time used to provide generic information to the player; a big-screen display visible by a plurality of patrons in the gaming environment; the main display of a gaming machine, a back-room terminal, an attendant's wireless device, or a personal computer connected through the Internet. Each of these displays may have associated criteria to determine when to display derived information from an evolving game process. For example, only when the evolving game process shares configured characteristics with the gaming machine, e.g. the same principal game, the same progressive jackpot, the same evolving game process, a location part of the same location set, a similar theme, etc.

Therefore, the determination of the display to which to communicate derived information and the criteria used to determine which display to communicate derived information are questions of configurations and/or circumstances. The present invention is meant to encompass any variation regarding these embodiments.

Derived Information Format

The format in which the derived information is provided may vary according to the evolving game process, the game environment, the game apparatuses, or the intended use of the derived information.

For example, the derived information displayed in real time may be the same information provided to the player, e.g. the multi-level bonus feature. Therefore, a person may witness the full progression of the player in the evolving game process.

In another example, the derived information may comprise the game outcome driving state evolution in the evolving game process. An example of such format is a matrix wherein the play of blackjack is provided in addition to a portion of the matrix.

In another example, the derived information may exclude a portion of the evolving game process state. In the matrix embodiment, the information displayed in real time may present only the matrix rows associated with the top three (3) prizes.

In another example, an animation may provide in a more entertaining manner information regarding states of an evolving game process. For example, the animation may present a frog character getting close to a lake, jumping on water 111 y leaves in order to cross a portion of the lake to reach a treasure-covered leaf, and either reaching that leaf or falling off a leaf in the water before-hand.

In another example, identification of the player playing on the gaming machine conducting the evolving game process, or the gaming machine identification and location may be communicated to a back-room terminal or an attendant wireless terminal for management purpose. The derived information may even comprise probabilities or expected win values in the last example.

The intended use of derived information, depending on the embodiment, may vary from an incentive purpose, a patron service purpose, or even security purpose. However, the intended use of such information is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Therefore, the list of available formats to provide information derived from an evolving game process as the derived information itself is broad. The examples provided herein are therefore only indicative.

Displaying Criteria

The displaying criteria used to determine when to display derived information regarding an evolving game process may also vary based on the evolving game process in question, the game environment and system, the purpose of the derived information, etc.

Accordingly, one basis for setting displaying criteria may be the probabilities associated with a state to evolve in another state of interest (e.g., as illustrated in above examples, probabilities of winning a prize).

Another basis for setting displaying criteria may be the goal itself. Regardless of the probabilities of reaching a goal, if the goal has no interest or so little interest according to its purpose, there is no use in displaying derived information in view of that state. On the contrary, if the goal has a real impact on patrons' excitement for example, lower probabilities of reaching that goal may be necessary to determine that the derived information has the interest level to be displayed.

Even though these bases are the most obvious ones, any metrics that can be associated with states of an evolving game process may be used as criteria.

System Structure

Displaying Means

As presented through the different embodiments, the nature of the displaying means on which is displayed in real time derived information regarding an evolving game process may vary.

In one presented embodiment, the displaying means is a big-screen display disposed above a bank of gaming machines. In another embodiment, the displaying means is a back-room terminal available to attendant staff. In another embodiment, a second screen on gaming machines is used to display in real time information derived from the progress of an evolving game process conducted on a distinct gaming machine. In another embodiment, the main screen of a gaming machine is used for that purpose in some circumstances. In another embodiment, an attendant's wireless device is adapted to display derived information. Embodiments may further include providing the derived information on a personal computer when, for example, the evolving game process takes place on the Internet.

Therefore, the nature of the displaying means may greatly vary from one embodiment to another without departing from the scope of the invention.

Processing Devices

Presented embodiments mostly comprise gaming machines, communicating means, a game server and displaying means. Furthermore, throughout the documents, the monitoring of states and the evaluation of these states were performed by the game server. However, depending of environments, it may be suitable in some circumstances that the device conducting the game of chance is the one performing at least one of the monitoring or the evaluation.

In possible embodiments, the evolving game process may be conducted by the game server, or a device dedicated to that task.

Therefore, a person skilled in the art must understand that a system adapted for the present invention must be capable of performing processes related to the invention, but the device(s) performing these processes within the system may vary from one embodiment to another without departing from the scope of the invention.

General Statement

Even though the above embodiments present awarding prizes to players in relation to the game of chance and the evolving game process, other forms of rewards may also be used. Examples of such alternative rewards may comprise: points, participations in features, non-cashable credits, progressive prizes, gifts, vouchers redeemable in multiple forms, and comps.

The nature of the game of chance may also vary. Some examples of game of chance have been provided, but any game of chance providing suitable characteristics are meant to be comprised within the scope of the invention.

The same statement applies to the evolving game process. Even though the number of examples of provided evolving game process illustrated through the present document is limited, any evolving game process providing suitable characteristics are meant to be comprised within the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, the purpose of the evolving game process being conducted along the present invention is not meant to be limited by the present invention. The purpose and the persons having access to the evolving game process may vary from one embodiment to another. As presented, one embodiment may have an entertainment purpose, with players participating in the evolving game process and receiving prizes according to its evolution (e.g. a bonus feature). However, other purposes such as to monitor game conduct for security reason or otherwise may also be encompassed within the scope of the invention.

It should be noted, as illustrated throughout the present document, that the present invention can be carried out as a method, can be embodied in one or more components of a system, a computer readable medium, processor-readable memory or an electrical or electro-magnetic signal. Any of these embodiments are meant to be comprised within the scope of the present invention.

In conclusion, the embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method for controlling, in real time, display of information derived from an evolving game process in relation with a game of chance, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring, in real time, states achieved by said evolving game process; evaluating said states in view of a displaying criterion; upon fulfillment of said displaying criterion, initiating a communication process for continuously communicating, in real time, signals for enabling the display in real time of said evolving-game-process-derived information; monitoring, in real time, further states achieved by said evolving game process; evaluating said further states in view of a display terminating criterion; and upon fulfillment of the display terminating criterion, terminating said communication process.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said communication process comprises the steps of: continuously transmitting, in real time, said signals to a displaying means; and displaying, in real time, at said displaying means, said evolving-game-process derived information according to said signals received by said displaying means.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of continuously transmitting comprises broadcasting said signals to said displaying means remotely located from a system component conducting said evolving game process.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising selecting said displaying means based on at least one of: a status of said displaying means; an identified parameter of said displaying means; an identified parameter of a player playing said evolving game process; an identified parameter of a user of said displaying means; a parameter of a system component conducting said evolving game process; and a combination thereof.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein said displaying means comprises at least one of: a gaming machine display; a display of a gaming machine remotely located from a system component conducting the evolving game process; a display visible by a plurality of patrons in a casino; a personal computer in communication through the Internet; a back-room computer; and an attendant's wireless device in a casino.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising conducting at least two evolving game processes, and modifying at least one of: said step of evaluating said states in view of a displaying criterion; and said step of evaluating said further states in view of a display terminating criterion following one of said evolving game processes initiating said communication process.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising conducting at least two evolving game processes, and modifying said communication process following a second one of said evolving game processes initiating said communication process.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating history information upon said step of terminating said communication process.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a monitoring of specific data in said evolving game process, and preventing said step of initiating said communication process based on said monitored data in said evolving game process.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a monitoring of specific data in said evolving game process, and initiating said step of terminating said communication process based on said monitored data in said evolving game process.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said evolving game process is one of: a bonus feature triggered in said game of chance; a feature conducted over a plurality of outcomes of said game of chance; and a continual feature conducted along said game of chance.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the evolving game process is conducted in a non-competitive manner between a plurality of players.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said evolving game process is one of: a synchronous-tournament participation; and a tournament participation wherein said participation in said tournament is conducted asynchronously from another participation in said tournament.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein said displaying criterion comprises at least one of: a probability; a win value; an expected value; a predetermined evolving-game-process state; and a comparison to at least one other evolving game process.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said display terminating criterion comprises at least one of: a duration; a number of said further states in said evolving game process; a probability; a win value; an expected value; a predetermined evolving-game process state; and a comparison to at least one other evolving game process.
 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: evaluating said states against prize criteria; and awarding a prize to a player based on said evaluation.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said prize is awarded in one of: a point-value format; a comp-value format; a credit-value format, a limited-use credit-value format; a redeemable voucher format, a feature-participation format; a progressive-prize-value format; and a gift format.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein said evolving game process and said game of chance are non-distinguishable.
 19. A system for controlling display of information derived from an evolving game process in relation with a game of chance, the system comprising: a gaming apparatus for conducting said game of chance and providing outcomes of said game of chance to a player; evolving-game-process controlling means for controlling conduct of said evolving game process; monitoring means for monitoring, in real time, states achieved by said evolving game process; evaluating means for evaluating said states achieved by said evolving game process in view of one of a displaying criterion and a display terminating criterion; displaying means for displaying information derived from said evolving game process; display controlling means for controlling a communication process for continuously communicating, in real time, signals for enabling the display in real time of said evolving-game-process derived information; and communicating means for communicating information between the gaming apparatus, the evolving-process controlling means, the monitoring means, the evaluating means, the display controlling means and the displaying means, wherein, upon positive evaluation of the displaying criterion by the evaluating means, the display controlling means initiates said communication process for continuously communicating, in real time, said signals and wherein, upon positive evaluation of the display terminating criterion by the evaluating means, the display controlling means terminates said communication process.
 20. The system of claim 19, further comprising storing means for storing system data, wherein said system data are evaluated to select said displaying means to display said evolving-game-process derived information.
 21. The system of claim 20, further comprising selecting means for selecting said displaying means to display said derived information based on said system data.
 22. The system of claim 19, wherein at least one of said displaying means is remotely located from said gaming apparatus.
 23. The system of claim 19, wherein said displaying means is embodied in one of: a gaming machine display; a display visible to a plurality of patrons in a casino; a personal computer; a casino back-room computer; and an attendant's wireless device in a casino.
 24. The system of claim 19, further comprising, when at least two evolving game processes are conducted simultaneously, multi-process managing means for managing at least one of: i) said communication process, and ii) said evaluation process performed by said evaluating means based on states achieved by said at least two evolving game processes.
 25. The system of claim 19, wherein said system is embodied in a networked system comprising a game server and a bank of gaming machines.
 26. The system of claim 19, wherein said evolving game process is one of: a bonus feature triggered in said game of chance; a feature conducted over a plurality of outcomes of said game of chance; and a continual feature conducted along said game of chance.
 27. A display controller for controlling, in real time, display of information derived from an evolving game process in relation with a game of chance, the display controller comprising: storing means for storing a displaying criterion and a display terminating criterion; monitoring means for monitoring, in real time, states achieved by the evolving game process; evaluating means for evaluating, in real time, the states achieved by the evolving game process in view of one of a displaying criterion and a display terminating criterion; controlling means for controlling a communication process for continuously communicating, in real time, signals for enabling the display in real time of said evolving-game-process derived information; and communicating means for communicating information and/or signals to and/or from a displaying means, wherein, upon positive evaluation of the displaying criterion, the controlling means initiates the communication process of said signals with the displaying means, and wherein, upon positive evaluation of the display terminating criterion, the controlling means terminates the communication process.
 28. The display controller of claim 27, wherein said display controller is embodied in a game server part of a networked system comprising gaming machines.
 29. The display controller of claim 27, wherein said evolving game process is one of: a bonus feature triggered in said game of chance; a feature conducted over a plurality of outcomes of said game of chance; and a continual feature conducted along said game of chance.
 30. Computer program embodied on a computer readable medium or in processor-readable memory having codes adapted for: monitoring, in real time, states achieved by an evolving game process in relation with a game of chance; evaluating said states achieved by said evolving game process in view of one of a displaying criterion and a display terminating criterion; and controlling a communication process for continuously communicating, in real time, signals to be used to display in real time information derived from the evolving game process on a displaying means, wherein, upon positive evaluation of the displaying criterion, the communication process is initiated and, upon positive evaluation of the display terminating criterion, the communication process is terminated.
 31. The computer program of claim 30, wherein said evolving game process is one of: a bonus feature triggered in said game of chance; a feature conducted over a plurality of outcomes of said game of chance; and a continual feature conducted along said game of chance. 